We've "tested" this video on those self-proclaimed as cynical, left, right or center, and found everyone had a favorite moment. Many messages, beautifully crafted and provocative. Our excerpts are truly a mere glimpse - take the time whenever (under 20 minutes in total). Questioned whether to give excerpts at all - too many - best bet is to go straight to the videos.
- C.J. Westerberg
Video Below
So I urge you today to sometimes ignore your elders, much as you love them, and to begin to say "no" to the Greek chorus that thinks it knows
the parameters of a good life
when all it knows is some one-size-fits-all version
of human experience. . . "
". . . Sometimes we were convinced conformity would make life better,
or at least easier, for you.
Sometimes we had a very hard time figuring out where we ended
and you began.
Guide us back to where we started.
Help us not to make mistakes out of fear disguised as love.
Learn not to listen to us when we are wrong,
because sometimes we are. . ."
"But I can offer you some simple guidance from Henry James,the most complex and cerebral of men, who once wrote,
'Three things in human life are important.
The first is to be kind . . .
Bring kindness back to our society."
"The mess, the mess!
That's finally what you are leaving with today, the mess
I won't apologize for that. Instead I want you to see it for what it is:
an engraved invitation to transformation.
Certainty is dead. Long live the flying leap.
Take it. Use it. Bring it. Bless you all. Congratulations. . ."
Videos Below
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John -
Thanks, JohnE for your POV. I don't necessarily agree with every point made by guest posts, or clips that we feature - although we tend to agree with much of them :)
Point being is we really try to feature really smart/passionate/civil thinking that has some back-up. Sometimes, awful stuff as a counter-point horror, but that tends to be done enough.
Good point CJ. There were other good points in the speech as well. As I read the transcript though it reminded me of a quote which I was now able to find:
"Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid."
- G.K. Chesterton
Which is also a great reader/audience to have - those that can distinguish.
Thanks, for that, John W. Chesterton quotes - absolutely some of the best.
I did not know that Apple and Microsoft worked together to create software.
Quindlen's liberal bent is pretty obvious, but I did like this part:
'I asked a professor of religion what she did to suit the comfort level of the diverse group of students in her class. “It is not my job to make people comfortable,” she replied. “It is my job to educate them.” I almost stood up and cheered.'